Costa Rica — Country Facts & Profile
Central America, Americas
Where is Costa Rica? It lies in Central America, part of North America. The country covers 51,100 km², hosts 5,309,625 people, and is governed from San José. The official language is Spanish. The national currency is the Costa Rican colón (₡ CRC).
Data Overview
Geographic Facts
Costa Rica is located in Central America at coordinates 10.00°N, 84.00°W. It shares borders with 2 countries. Total land area: 51,100 km² (19,730 mi²). Population density: 104 people per km². The highest point is Cerro Chirripó at 3,820 m.
Travel Indicators
Key indicators for visiting or living in Costa Rica. Average temperature in San José: 18.5°C (65°F).
GDP & Economy
Costa Rica has a GDP per capita of $18,587, reflecting the average economic output per person in the country.
How Safe Is It?
Costa Rica has a safety index of 47 out of 100 based on crime and safety data. Higher scores indicate safer conditions.
Higher score = safer. Based on crime index data.
Biodiversity & Parks
Costa Rica has 21 zoos and 8 botanical gardens.
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Hospitals & Stadia
Notable infrastructure highlights in Costa Rica, including Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica with a capacity of 35,175 seats.
35,175 seats
Where People Live in Costa Rica
How the Country Is Divided
San José
31 cities · 954,723 people
Largest: San José
Alajuela Province
10 cities · 174,031 people
Largest: Alajuela
Heredia Province
9 cities · 169,930 people
Largest: San Francisco
Cartago Province
7 cities · 143,456 people
Largest: Paraíso
Puntarenas Province
8 cities · 117,470 people
Largest: Puntarenas
Limón Province
5 cities · 112,674 people
Largest: Limón
Guanacaste Province
6 cities · 106,956 people
Largest: Liberia
Frequently Asked Questions about Costa Rica
- What is the capital of Costa Rica?
- The capital of Costa Rica is San José.
- What is the population of Costa Rica?
- Costa Rica has a population of approximately 5,309,625 people.
- What continent is Costa Rica in?
- Costa Rica is located in North America, in the Central America subregion.
- Where is Costa Rica located?
- Costa Rica is located in Central America, North America, at coordinates 10.0°N, 84.0°W.
- What currency does Costa Rica use?
- Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican colón (₡ CRC).
- What is the capital and currency of Costa Rica?
- The capital of Costa Rica is San José and the currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC).
- What language is spoken in Costa Rica?
- The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish.
- What is the area of Costa Rica?
- Costa Rica covers a total area of 51,100 km² (19,730 square miles).
- How large is Costa Rica in square miles?
- Costa Rica has a total area of approximately 19,730 square miles (51,100 km²).
- What is the population density of Costa Rica?
- Costa Rica has a population density of approximately 104 people per km².
- Is Costa Rica an independent country?
- Yes, Costa Rica is a fully independent and sovereign country.
- How many countries does Costa Rica border?
- Costa Rica shares land borders with 2 countries.
- What is the GDP per capita of Costa Rica?
- The GDP per capita of Costa Rica is approximately $18,587.
- Is Costa Rica safe to visit?
- Costa Rica is considered moderately safe, with a safety index of 47 out of 100 based on crime and safety data.
- What is the average temperature in San José?
- The average annual temperature in San José, the capital of Costa Rica, is approximately 18.5°C (65°F).
- What countries border Costa Rica?
- Costa Rica shares land borders with: Nicaragua, Panama.
- What is the country calling code for Costa Rica?
- The international calling code for Costa Rica is +506. To call Costa Rica from abroad, dial your country's exit code followed by +506 and the local number.
- What time zone is Costa Rica in?
- Costa Rica operates on the UTC-06:00 time zone.
- What is the highest point in Costa Rica?
- The highest point in Costa Rica is Cerro Chirripó at 3,820 m (12,533 ft) above sea level.
- What is the GNI per capita of Costa Rica?
- The Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of Costa Rica is approximately $15,620 (World Bank data).
- How fast is the internet in Costa Rica?
- The average internet speed in Costa Rica is 68 Mbps, which is considered fast by global standards.